Former police chief Gordon Anglesea found guilty of child sex abuse

Former police superintendent Gordon Anglesea has been found guilty over historic child sex abuse allegations.

The jury at Mold Crown Court this afternoon returned their verdict, including four charges of indecent assault in the 1980’s. Mr Anglesea was found not guilty of an alternative charge of a serious sexual assault.

Mr Anglesea has been bailed with sentencing at a later date, which has yet to be set.

Mr Anglesea has previously won £375,000 in libel damages from newspapers, Private Eye and then HTV over associated claims.

Commenting on today’s guilty verdicts an NSPCC Cymru / Wales spokesman said: “Gordon Anglesea is a sexual predator who abused a position of trust and authority.

“No child should ever have to endure what these victims were forced to and Anglesea’s crimes would have had crushing, life-long effects on them. It was Anglesea’s job to protect and safeguard people in society but instead he shamelessly abused and degraded vulnerable children.

“His victims were robbed of their childhoods and showed tremendous bravery in recounting these horrific and unforgiveable crimes in court.

“It is also thanks to the work of officers within Operation Pallial that these sickening crimes were brought to trial so many years later and justice secured for the victims.”

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Debicki said: “The victims in this case have waited a long time for justice and I am pleased that today they have seen this done.

“It has not been an easy journey from them, it has taken courage to stand by their convictions, but I hope that they will now take some solace from seeing their abuser brought to justice.

“At the outset of Operation Pallial we said that all abusers of children should keep looking over their shoulder and I am satisfied that today time has caught up with Gordon Anglesea.

“It is true to say that no occupation is immune from individuals who will exploit their position of authority and trust to abuse vulnerable victims, but people expect and deserve better from the police.

“I am saddened that a former NWP officer was one of these individuals and I would like to apologise on behalf of the force to those whose lives he so traumatically affected.

“Nothing anyone can do now will change the past, but I can assure people that the way in which we now investigate sexual abuse, the investment which goes in to it and the significance it is given is considerably different to how it ways in the past.

“NWP now has the Amethyst Team which deals solely with victims of sexual abuse. They are a dedicated, highly trained team of national standing whose approach to working with victims has resulted in more people having the confidence to come forward to report crimes.

“Victims can be confident that they will be listened to and our multi agency approach with partners such as the local authorities and the health board, means that there are also more resources available to protect vulnerable people.

“The checks that we make on employees are also far more rigid than they used to be.

“But, that said, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a need for vigilance – that will always remain.

He added: “I would like to thank the NCA for the thorough and professional investigation they have conducted so far, but you will be aware that any new enquiries will now come to North Wales Police.

“I have full confidence in our current arrangements to listen to victims and deliver effective support, with partner agencies, and to investigate crimes.

“Officers from Operation Pallial will continue to deliver investigative activity for many months as they complete enquiries and assist the Crown Prosecution Service with further court cases, but all new crimes reported in North Wales will now be investigated by local officers and staff.

“We have a dedicated team in place for receiving and investigating allegations of sexual abuse. The Amethyst Team deals solely with victims, seeing them through from reporting to case conclusion. They have a track record of a high level of reporting which shows that victims have the confidence to come forward.”

More:
Daily Post:  “Live: Reaction as Gordon Anglesea found guilty of sexual abuse”
ITV: “Former police officer Gordon Anglesea has been found guilty of four indecent assaults”
BBC: “Gordon Anglesea: Former police chief guilty of child sex abuse“